Dandeli is a taluk in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India, in the Malenadu region.
Description
Old Dandeli
As per the 1930 year, the population of Dandeli was only 515 and predominantly worked in the forestry department and government sawmill. Most residents belonged to the Konkanis, Devali, Marathas, Kuruba, Lambani, African, and Muslim communities. The settlement was located on the bank of the Kali river and developed into an industrial town with the establishment of a number of companies, including The Indian Plywood Manufacturing Company, Lalbhai Ferro-manganese Factory, West Coast Paper Mill, Indian Saw Mill, and a number of small industries around the Dandeli and Karnataka Power Corporation which were engaged in the construction of several power-generating dams at different places along the Kali river. The place was later called Old-Dandeli.
There was no school in the small town until in 1936, when Shivaji Narvekar, Pundalik Pai, Sadanand Gopal Nadkarni, Balappa Chavan and Bapshet together contributed to build a one-room school in a hut on the nearby hill where now the government Urdu school is situated. Ramachandra Ganapat Nayak migrated from Sanikatta near Gokarn to run the school. The school started with merely 18 students, three of whom were older than their teacher, R.G. Nayak. In 1939 the school was recognised by the British government.
Name
A local legend states that the city is named after Dandelappa, a local deity, a servant of the Mirashi landlords, who died because of his loyalty. An alternative legend states that a king named Dandakanayaka passed through the forests and named them after himself, and the city is believed to stand on the place where Dandakaranya stood when he named the area.
Geography and climate
Dandeli is located at . It has an average elevation of and has received heavy rainfall during August to November (see chart below). Because of good forest cover and moderate elevation, the location has a tropical highland climate, averaging about in summer and in winter.
Wildlife sanctuary
Dandeli is a natural habitat for wildlife, including tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, and bears. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka and was designated as a tiger reserve in 2007. The jungle is also home to several varieties of reptiles and almost 270 varieties of birds. The rapid expansion of industry has raised fears of ecological damage to the area, and local volunteer groups have formed to address the issue.
Demographics
As of the 2001 India census, Dandeli had a population of 53,287. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Dandeli has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 65%: male literacy is 81% and female literacy is 68%. In Dandeli, 11% of the population is under six years of age. Kannada is the widely spoken language in the region. Dandeli's population was higher in the past, but lack of employment has forced people to migrate elsewhere. Jobs pay poorly, and traditional businesses have been disappearing for lack of customers. The West Coast Paper Mills is one of the largest employers in the town and the primary landowner; the mill has its own quarters, shopping complex, theatre, restaurant, playground, and a clubhouse for the employees. The company was promoted by Shree Digvijay Cement Company Limited, Sikka, Gujarat State in 1955. This company is also the main contributor to unpleasant odor affecting an otherwise very pleasant city.
Schools in Dandeli
St Michaels Convent School (Primary and High School) Rotary School (Primary and High School) Janata Vidyalaya (Primary and High school both Kannada and English medium) DFA School Anglo Urdu High School (Muslim Education Society Dandeli) Government School Kanya Vidyalaya Tauheed Education Society Bangur Nagar Hindi Higher Secondary School (Dandeli Education Society Hindi School) BLDE Education Society Govt. School Bilpar Dandeli (Primary and High school) Bangur Nagar Kannada Higher Primary School Adarsh Vidyalaya School (Ambewadi) Government Primary School (Ambewadi) Paridyan School
Pre-university colleges
Bangur Nagar Pre-University Composite Junior College
Janata Vidyalaya
Tauheed Education Society
Government College Old Dandeli
Kanya Vidyalaya Pre-university College Dandeli
K.L.E. Society's Institute of Nursing Sciences, Dandeli
Degree colleges
DES Bangaur Nagar Degree College
Govt Degree College
Govt Degree College (Old Dandeli)